よろしくお願いします — The Japanese Phrase English Cannot Tran
2026-10-15
One of the most common Japanese expressions is also one of the most difficult to translate:
よろしくお願いします — The Japanese Phrase English Cannot Translate
One of the most common Japanese expressions is also one of the most difficult to translate:
よろしくお願いします (Yoroshiku onegaishimasu).
You may hear it when meeting someone for the first time, starting a new job, asking someone for help, sending a business email, introducing a colleague, or beginning a project together.
Depending on the situation, it might be translated as “Nice to meet you,” “Thank you in advance,” “I appreciate your help,” “Please take care of this,” or “I look forward to working with you.”
But none of these really means よろしくお願いします.
The word よろしく comes from よろしい, meaning good, appropriate, or favorable. お願いします literally expresses a request.
But the real meaning goes beyond the words.
When Japanese people say よろしくお願いします, they are acknowledging that what happens next depends partly on the goodwill, judgment, cooperation, and consideration of the other person.
You are not giving detailed instructions. You are saying something closer to:
“I am placing this relationship, situation, or responsibility in your good hands.”
That may sound vague to an English speaker. And it is.
Japanese communication often leaves room for people to understand their roles without everything being explicitly stated.
That is why よろしくお願いします is more than a polite phrase.
It expresses trust before the outcome is known.
Perhaps that is why English has no perfect translation.
Sometimes, understanding Japanese requires more than translating the words.
You have to understand the relationship behind them.
Disclaimer: I use AI as a tool to help create images and proofread my writing. However, the ideas, opinions, experiences, and messages in my posts are my own. AI does not generate my posts for me. It simply helps me present my own words and ideas more clearly.
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSPINC)
Uchikura & Co., LLC.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
I was born and raised in Japan and have spent most of my adult life in the United States. Through this blog, I share Japanese culture, language, expressions, and wisdom. My goal is not to say one culture is better, but to explore different perspectives and what we can learn from them.
Your comments are always welcome.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSPINC)
Uchikura & Co., LLC.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
ABOUT THIS BLOG
I was born and raised in Japan and have spent most of my adult life in the United States. Through this blog, I share Japanese culture, language, expressions, and wisdom. My goal is not to say one culture is better, but to explore different perspectives and what we can learn from them.
Your comments are always welcome.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..